Secondary Questions: Define "Optional"

[Centinel]

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From the WashU secondary (no, they didn't send it to me; it's available online):
(optional) Do you have unique experiences or obstacles that you have overcome that were not covered in
your application about which you would like to inform our Admissions Committee?

Would someone who has gone through this process give a general suggestion: is it, typically, best to answer optional prompts? I know that people have said that this is true for Baylor; is it true for the general case? Any other thoughts along these lines?

(Perhaps I should put this into the allo board, but this really is more pertinent to pre-allos so I'm posting it here)

 

[AxlxA]

I think it's optional cause if u dont have jack to say, then u have nothing to say.

 

[DrBowtie]

Only put something meaningful down. Don't make them read an essay that is just BSing.

 

[Medikit]

If you don't have any obstacles, just focus on a unique experience.

 

[Centinel]

If you don't have any obstacles, just focus on a unique experience.

That's the sense that I'm getting: the optional essays don't seem to be exactly optional. They seem to be more like mandatory, open-ended prompts.

 

[Kazema]

I think they're only optional if your application is so strong that you don't need to give them any more reasons to interview you. But even then you don't want to give them any reasons not to interview you. I have a (paranoid) feeling that at some schools (one in particular comes to mind) it's like a little test to see who will go that extra mile, and who will only do what's required.

So just bite the bullet and come up with something to write.

 

[Medikit]

That's the sense that I'm getting: the optional essays don't seem to be exactly optional. They seem to be more like mandatory, open-ended prompts.

I didn't write the optional essay for Vermont or Jefferson, nor did I hear from either until the rejection slip came in the mail.

 

[cw320]

just got the WashU secondary today. dang, I thought that I really wouldn't have to fill out this essay. Now I gotta think of something

 

[New Yorkaise]

As someone who's been through this process, DEFINITELY write something down. I don't think it's really optional if you really want them to take a look at your app. You want to show as much about yourself as you can. I mean, who among us don't get upset that the personal statement or AMCAS responses are limited? (OK, maybe just me! 🙂 ). You need to show you are an interesting, muti-dimentional person.

This is your chance. I remember one of my optional Qs. was, 'is there a particular/special reason you want to attend _____?' And the disclaimer even said something like they understand secondaries are time-consuming, and to simplify, they have optional Qs that don't need to be answered. Are you kidding? Of course, I carefully wrote out my answer! They'll take longer to look through my app than those who didn't bother to do so. To the AdCom, I am genuinely interested in their school--hence the offer of the interview--hence the foot in the door.

Go for it, take the time and treat it as importantly as the other parts of your app.

 

[tigress]

Okay, this is as good a thread as any to ask my question. For MUSC, there is an online secondary plus a secondary to the secondary (!), which is a non-form pdf file. I've tried filling it out in Paint, but it's just a big pain because I have to redo the whole thing every time I want to make a correction. So I"m going to have to do it by hand.

So for my real question: I have three lines to respond to: "Describe any achievements or experiences that you believe make you a unique student." Three small lines of hand-written text. What do they expect me to write? I mean I have lots of stuff on my AMCAS, and I don't know what to put here. Any advice?

 

[tigress]

How come I wrote a post and the main page doesn't show it, and the thread wasn't bumped? hmmm.......

 

[Medikit]

Okay, this is as good a thread as any to ask my question. For MUSC, there is an online secondary plus a secondary to the secondary (!), which is a non-form pdf file. I've tried filling it out in Paint, but it's just a big pain because I have to redo the whole thing every time I want to make a correction. So I"m going to have to do it by hand.

So for my real question: I have three lines to respond to: "Describe any achievements or experiences that you believe make you a unique student." Three small lines of hand-written text. What do they expect me to write? I mean I have lots of stuff on my AMCAS, and I don't know what to put here. Any advice?

It's really hard to tell other people what to write when the subject is "how are you unique". If they just gave you 3 lines then they obviously want you to keep it short and sweet. My only advice is ask your friends what makes you unique and see if it's something you want to talk about.

 

[tigress]

It's really hard to tell other people what to write when the subject is "how are you unique". If they just gave you 3 lines then they obviously want you to keep it short and sweet. My only advice is ask your friends what makes you unique and see if it's something you want to talk about.

Right, I wasn't asking what I should write. I guess I wasn't clear. The question isn't asking how I'm unique, it's asking for specific "achievements or experiences" that make me unique. So I suppose my question is whether I should just pick something I did and summarize that, or if I should try to list a few things I did. I just feel like it's a stupid question because I included all of these activities and experiences on AMCAS already.

 

[Kazema]

I would pick one activity that's not really a common pre-med activity and describe how that would set me apart - like how it would give me a different viewpoint or approach or something.

 

[tennisnr]

From the WashU secondary (no, they didn't send it to me; it's available online):
(optional) Do you have unique experiences or obstacles that you have overcome that were not covered in
your application about which you would like to inform our Admissions Committee?

Would someone who has gone through this process give a general suggestion: is it, typically, best to answer optional prompts? I know that people have said that this is true for Baylor; is it true for the general case? Any other thoughts along these lines?

(Perhaps I should put this into the allo board, but this really is more pertinent to pre-allos so I'm posting it here)

With this WashU prompt I keep getting bogged down with the word "overcome" It seems they want to know about something that really affected your life ONLY if you haven't talked about it yet in your application.

Are some of you still writing something or anything down because it seems they want ppl to use this space to actually put something very serious such as overcoming family death or the like.

 

[dajimmers]

I have a few things in old PS drafts that got cut that I may resurrect for the WashU prompt.

 

[hanjoko]

I would pick one activity that's not really a common pre-med activity and describe how that would set me apart - like how it would give me a different viewpoint or approach or something.

In Yale's Secondary, there is an additional page that says "This section should be used to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee any information not previously discussed throughout your Yale Supplemental Application. "

And this part is NOT for "why Yale" essay...

I like what Kazema said about "a different viewpoint or approach" but wonder if I should also put something down on this additional page...any advice? 🙂

 

[gujuDoc]

I would pick one activity that's not really a common pre-med activity and describe how that would set me apart - like how it would give me a different viewpoint or approach or something.

Tigress,

What Kazema said!!!!!! That's what you should do.

 

[jhanchar]

From an admissions committee standpoint, it is sometimes best to leave these "optional" essays blank. These are typically reserved for disadvantaged students and underrepresented minorities. You won't believe some of the essays I've read. Some were along the lines of "my dog died and it messed up the rest of my life". Obviously, this reflects poorly on the candidate. Yale and the other Ivy Leagues (e.g. Stanford and Yale are similar in their applications, as you will see) usually use an open ended question such as "if you wish to share something with the committee..." In this case it is ok to talk about your experiences. The kiss of death is when people answer the "what difficulties have you overcome" question when they have nothing of substance. If you have a "uniqueness" essay prompt simply focus on the one best activity you listed on your AMCAS and expound upon it. Best of luck!